Free Essays on Same Sex Marriages

Same Sex Marriages The proposed legalization of same-sex marriage is one of the most significant issues in contemporary American family law. Presently, it is one of the most vigorously advocated reforms discussed in law reviews, one of the most explosive political questions facing lawmakers, and one of the most provocative issues emerging before American courts. If same-sex marriage is legalized, it could be one of the most revolutionary policy decisions in the history of American family law. The potential consequences, positive or negative, for children, parents, same-sex couples, families, social structure public health, and the status of women are enormous. Given the importance of the issue, the value of comprehensive debate of the reasons for and against legalizing same-sex marriage should be obvious. Marriage is much more than merely a commitment to love one another. Aside from societal and religious conventions, marriage entails legally imposed financial responsibility and legally authorized financial benefits. Marriage provides automatic legal protections for the spouse, including medical visitation, succession of a deceased spouse's property, as well as pension and other rights. When two adults desire to "contract" in the eyes of the law, as well a perhaps promise in the eyes of the Lord and their friends and family, to be responsible for the obligations of marriage as well as to enjoy its benefits, should the law prohibit their request merely because they are of the same gender? I intend to prove that because of Article IV of the United States Constitution, there is no reason why the federal government nor any state government should restrict marriage to a predefined heterosexual relationship. Marriage has changed throughout the years. In Western law, wives are now equal rather than subordinate partners; interracial marriage is now widely accepted, both in statute and in society; and m... Free Essays on Same Sex Marriages Free Essays on Same Sex Marriages Same Sex Marriages The proposed legalization of same-sex marriage is one of the most significant issues in contemporary American family law. Presently, it is one of the most vigorously advocated reforms discussed in law reviews, one of the most explosive political questions facing lawmakers, and one of the most provocative issues emerging before American courts. If same-sex marriage is legalized, it could be one of the most revolutionary policy decisions in the history of American family law. The potential consequences, positive or negative, for children, parents, same-sex couples, families, social structure public health, and the status of women are enormous. Given the importance of the issue, the value of comprehensive debate of the reasons for and against legalizing same-sex marriage should be obvious. Marriage is much more than merely a commitment to love one another. Aside from societal and religious conventions, marriage entails legally imposed financial responsibility and legally authorized financial benefits. Marriage provides automatic legal protections for the spouse, including medical visitation, succession of a deceased spouse's property, as well as pension and other rights. When two adults desire to "contract" in the eyes of the law, as well a perhaps promise in the eyes of the Lord and their friends and family, to be responsible for the obligations of marriage as well as to enjoy its benefits, should the law prohibit their request merely because they are of the same gender? I intend to prove that because of Article IV of the United States Constitution, there is no reason why the federal government nor any state government should restrict marriage to a predefined heterosexual relationship. Marriage has changed throughout the years. In Western law, wives are now equal rather than subordinate partners; interracial marriage is now widely accepted, both in statute and in society; and m... Free Essays on Same Sex Marriages Legality of Same-Sex Marriages The proposed legalization of same-sex marriage is one of the most significant issues in contemporary American family law. Presently, it is one of the most vigorously advocated reforms discussed in law reviews, one of the most explosive political questions facing lawmakers, and one of the most provocative issues emerging before American courts. If same-sex marriage is legalized, it could be one of the most revolutionary policy decisions in the history of American family law. The potential consequences, positive or negative, for children, parents, same-sex couples, families, social structure public health, and the status of women are enormous. Given the importance of the issue, the value of comprehensive debate of the reasons for and against legalizing same-sex marriage should be obvious. Marriage is much more than merely a commitment to love one another. Aside from societal and religious conventions, marriage entails legally imposed financial responsibility and legally authorized financial benefits. Marriage provides automatic legal protections for the spouse, including medical visitation, succession of a deceased spouse's property, as well as pension and other rights. When two adults desire to "contract" in the eyes of the law, as well a perhaps promise in the eyes of the Lord and their friends and family, to be responsible for the obligations of marriage as well as to enjoy its benefits, should the law prohibit their request merely because they are of the same gender? I intend to prove that because of Article IV of the United States Constitution, there is no reason why the federal government nor any state government should restrict marriage to a predefined heterosexual relationship. Marriage has changed throughout the years. In Western law, wives are now equal rather than subordinate partners; interracial marriage is now widely acc... Free Essays on Same Sex Marriages Each individual’s journey through life is unique. Some will make the journey alone, others in loving relationships-maybe in marriage or other forms of commitment. We need to consider our own choices and try to understand the choices of others. Love has many shapes, forms, and colors, yet many people have a hard time coming to that realization. The article, â€Å"State of the Union†, written by John Riley and appearing in Newsday on November 19, 2003, addresses the issues and decisions made about same-sex marriages. On November 18, 2003, Massachusetts’ highest court declared that same-sex couples have a constitutional right to marriage, becoming the first nation to declare this. Many people, both in favor of and against this decision, were interviewed and spoke out as to why they feel how they feel. The real question this article poses is, should same-sex couples have the same rights to marriage as opposite-sex couples? There are many different viewpoints and theories related to this ethical dilemma, which include egoists, social contract theory (Thomas Hobbes), consequentialist and utilitarian beliefs, Immanuel Kant and deontological ethics, and virtue ethics. Each viewpoint and system of belief differs from another, yet they all make very strong, convincing points. Egoists only do what would be in their own best interest to do. They believe that by acting selfishly, one creates a better world. Based on these and many other beliefs of theirs, they would be absolutely one hundred percent against same-sex marriages. Same-sex marriages only really benefit those individuals getting married so there is no rational reasoning as to why egoists would support this decision and they don’t. It is no direct benefit to society or anybody else involved and therefore egoists would not be in favor of this. They are not gaining anything by this Massachusetts’ highest court decision. Also, this court aided gays and lesbians in man... Free Essays on Same Sex Marriages Should Homosexual couples be given the same marriage rights as Heterosexual couples ? Tami Frost Kaplan College The institution of marriage has had an elongated and blemished past. Not always called marriage this sacred state had slipped through history under many impersonations and categories. Monogamy - summarizes an union of male and female or todays same sex couples, so long as the partners are only sleeping with one another. Polygamy - is the practice of one man or woman with numerous spouses of the opposite sex. Often, the need for this type of arrangement came from times of war, affliction or other disaster. Polyamory - is a multiple-partnered marriage whereby the partners get together out of love. Common-Law - is the relationship of a couple without legal ceremony or license. The Puritans moved marriage to a point where love counted and delighting in the state of marriage became commonplace, yet extremely committed. The Victorian period dragged marriage into the closet. Sex was something embarrassing and improper with a quiet understanding that married couples engaged in marital relations, without pleasure and as duty and God dictated for the purpose of procreation. Until as recently as 20 years ago, in some areas of North America women still needed a husband’s signature to obtain a credit card or mortgage. Things have certainly changed.Virtually all scholars agree that we have witnessed a major transition in the meaning of marriage in the years from 1600 to 1995. In 1600, marriage for almost all Europeans and Europeans in America was primarily an economic arrangement negotiated among families in which family considerations of status, future economic stability, and prosperity were the most important considerations in selecting a potential spouse. By 1995, most Americans consider the primary purpose of marriage to be a commitment to emotional and psychological suppor... Free Essays on Same Sex Marriages Abstract Same-sex marriages: A Multivariate Study The recent upsurge in same-sex marriages has been linked to society’s assessment in relation to society’s normative level. Evaluating the variables of the laws that prohibit same-sex marriages from occurring provides information to help society change its perception of same-sex marriages. The study of same-sex marriage helps explore how gay couples are perceived in society. The results support the conclusion that the special laws that concern same-sex couples are not legal. The current acceptance of an idea of gay couples is perceived positively as a regular couple would be perceived. The frustration associated with sex-same marriage that yields little hope of achieving the â€Å"ideal† may provide a key in understanding how same-sex are formed in society was associated with negative image in this study. Negativity was associated with dissenting opinions of gay couples. Negative societal reaction, allied with disapproving attitudes toward gay couples. This status is associated with an array of negative charasterics, not least of which is self-contempt. Table of Contents Dedication 1 Abstract 2 Chapter 1: An Introduction to Cohabiting Gay Couples 3 Chapter 2: The Application of Society’s Perception of Gays 6 Chapter 3: The Society’s Perception of Cohabitating Couples 14 References 15 Chapter 1: An Introduction to Cohabitating Gays Couples In the year of 1995, there were over 1.5 million gay or lesbians living together. The r... Free Essays on Same Sex Marriages Same sex marriages The debate over gay marriage is heating up, with San Francisco’s mayor Gavin Newsom decision permitting same sex marriages in a Francisco and the Massachusetts court decision in favor of gay marriage. There can definitely be seen a trend toward the legalization of same sex marriage but there are still hurdles that have to be passed which are guarded by the conservative right. Opponents of gay marriage are giving ridiculous arguments against same sex marriages while avoiding the real reasons behind their refusal which is prejudice, fear, religion, and homophobia. Looking at the struggles the gay community is having trying to be accepted into society as equals is compelling, ever since the early seventies gays have been trying to receive, among other rights, the right to marriage and its benefits and while all other civil right are protected by the 14th amendment somehow the right to marriage has been separated from all the other rights. The arguments against same sex marriage are weak at best, and they do not justify a discrimination against homosexuals. People, weather gay or not, should have the same rights in all aspects of life. The main argument for same sex marriage is that it is a civil right issue and just as miscegenation laws were voted out so does any law that produce separate system of benefits for people according to their sexual preferences. This should be abolished as it discriminates against the minority and is unconstitutional. Arguing that this right is not being infringed upon, because gays can choose not to be gay and to marry a person of the opposite sex at any time is ridiculous. There are various faults in this argument, for start it is based on the idea that homosexuality is fixable and that gays choose to be gay. The fact is that most studies have proven otherwise, none of the so called methods of curing homosexuality has been proven to work. Most experts agree that weather ... Free Essays on Same Sex Marriages Same Sex Marriage â€Å"I do,† these words change people’s lives forever. Whether this phrase is coming from a heterosexual couple or a same-sex couple, it should not be an issue. However, in today’s society this matter has become a reality. It is a constant battle for homosexuals to live with the limitations society imposes on them, such as the ability to marry. The homosexual community faces this problem of discrimination everyday, in which it is illegal for them to live a life of legal monogamy much like heterosexual couples. Same-sex marriages deserve to be legalized in this country. People need to face reality and what the future holds. Society also needs to start worrying about more important issues such as child abuse, terrorism, and sexual abuse, rather than two men â€Å"tying the knot† or two women devoting the rest of their lives to each other. Love is a human right and it should not be taken away from anyone, whether they are gay or straight. Homosexual c ouples should be entitled to the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples. If there is such a thing called separation between church and state, why does it not apply to this concern? The Christian religion and numerous other religions believe homosexuality is a mortal sin. However, if the leaders of these religions would research their material better, they would find Jesus was never given credit for any statement regarding homosexuality. The only piece mentions of homosexuality, the Christian Bible found in the Book of Leviticus. Leviticus says that, â€Å"No man should lay with a man as he lies with woman†, which many scholars now believe was referring to gay prostitutes and not gay persons in general. (King James, Chapter 17). The correlation between the laws of our government and the beliefs of some religions intertwine, which is unconstitutional. If we live in America, the land of the free, the land of opportunity, and the land where the governm...